Today, Arab public opinion has lost the unifying power of state media. In its place, narratives are contested as various actors vie for control. The question is no longer: What does the Arab street think? Rather, it is: Who leads it and how is it directed?

Since at least the 2010s, Arab opinion has been made and reshaped in real time through a complex combination of social and establishment media, platforming government and party spokesmen, political commentators, and partisan narratives. A media landscape which once served discreet parochial interests now has no central direction, and incentives point toward controversy and clicks.

Modern communication theories illuminate this reality. The "Agenda-Setting Theory" asserts that the media influences what topics the public finds important. The "Two-Step Flow Theory" shows how messages are transmitted through opinion leaders and influencers rather than directly through institutions. The "Spiral of Silence Theory" reveals how dissenting voices fade when their owners feel outside the dominant mood, creating the illusion that one opinion represents everyone.

The paradox is that many Arab governments have not equipped themselves to keep pace with this transformation. Official media in several countries remain slow, defensive, and traditional, responding only after opposing narratives are entrenched. National discourse is fragmented, digital presence is weak, and domestic and foreign public opinion is left vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation campaigns.

This environment leverages deep emotional issues within the Arab psyche: anger triggered by bloodshed, fear of chaos and insecurity, feelings of injustice and victimization, and concerns tied to dignity, religious identity, and national identity. The Palestinian issue, with its historical and humanitarian symbolism, remains the most potent emotional driver, often mobilizing the street away from realistic analysis or national interest.

The danger does not lie in the presence of emotion itself - emotion is a natural part of collective consciousness - but in leaving it unmanaged, without balance or rational discourse. Public opinion built solely on anger ignites quickly… but it can also dissipate just as fast.

In an era governed by narratives, silence is no longer an option, and traditional statements are insufficient. A state that does not lead its narrative or protect its public opinion - both internally and externally - will always find itself on the defensive, while others write its story for it… and sometimes against it. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar.